Former U.S. Supreme Court Clerk Brendan Duffy Visits Knudson School of Law
This event, aimed at providing insights into the role of judicial clerks, particularly those serving the U.S. Supreme Court, was hosted by Director of Career Services Teramie Hill and co-sponsored by USD’s Federalist Society and American Constitution Society.
Originally from South Dakota, Duffy shared stories from his professional journey, including his tenure clerking for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. He emphasized the importance of honing basic skills, such as reading and writing as well as analytical skills. Duffy encouraged students to diligently develop these skills to better prepare for their future careers.
In a series of anecdotes, Duffy described his experiences at the Supreme Court, including memorable moments in Justice Barrett's office, where her crackling fireplace often set the stage for discussions on significant cases. He highlighted the justices' approachability and the collegial atmosphere among them, despite differing opinions on controversial issues.
Among the lighter stories, Duffy revealed the existence of a basketball court above the Supreme Court, humorously known as "the highest court in the land," where justices and clerks engage in friendly games. He shared an amusing incident involving a former justice who was asked to stop bouncing a basketball during oral arguments.
Duffy also discussed how his clerking experience was pivotal in securing his current position at Jones Day, a prestigious multinational law firm. He stressed the value of judicial clerkships for the practical legal education they provide and the professional opportunities they open. According to Julianne Severson, who moderated the event, “The event left many students considering judicial clerkships as a viable and rewarding career path.”
Duffy's legal practice focuses on appellate advocacy and complex civil litigation. He has drafted briefs for courts at every level, including state and federal courts of appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. Recently, he successfully briefed and argued a Seventh Circuit appeal, resulting in a full reversal of the district court's decision on a statutory issue of first impression. Before joining Jones Day, Duffy clerked for Justice Barrett and completed clerkships on the Seventh and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeals. He was also a Fulbright Scholar in Jeonju, South Korea, before earning his J.D. magna cum laude from Northwestern University in 2017, where he served as the Notes Editor for the Northwestern University Law Review.
You May Also Like
Doctor of Nursing Practice Alumna Uses Degree to Become President and CEO of Avera St. Benedict
Well before Lindsay Weber, DNP ’24, BSN ’07, CNP, became president and CEO of Avera St. Benedict Health Center in Parkston, South Dakota, she already had a solid understanding of the ins and outs of patient care.
.jpg?rev=faeaaf0f8a7248f8becf07704659d88a&w=350&la=en&hash=D05E3F50DB91EF8ECE387831C6C52A48 "a graphic with the headshots of William Mayhan, William C.W. Chen, KC Santosh and Jeffrey S. McGough.")
USD Receives $6.5 Million to Establish South Dakota Biomedical Computation Collaborative
Medical school and computer science faculty members at the University of South Dakota have received a $6.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will bolster innovative medical education and biomedical sciences using computation and artificial intelligence (AI), leading to improved clinical practice and patient care for South Dakotans.
1901 Fund Helps USD Law Student Julianne Severson Pursue Passion for Law
Driven by her passion for the U.S. Constitution and justice system and empowered with a scholarship from the 1901 Fund, University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law student Julianne Severson traded her background in business accounting to studying law.
